How much sodium is too much for a day?

"Ask the Experts" at East Jefferson General Hospital [Web Exclusive Content]

General sodium
recommendations by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are to not
exceed 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day. Limiting salt to below
1,500 milligrams per day is beneficial for those with high blood
pressure, fluid retention, and heart disease. One teaspoon of salt
contains about 2,300 milligrams of sodium. But, salt is not just
added salt while cooking or at the table. Sodium is also high in some
foods that do not even taste salty, like milk products and baked
foods.

Reading food
labels is a great way to track sodium intake. Make sure sodium
content on the label is less than 140 milligrams per serving or 500
milligrams per meal. This will help you consume below 2,000
milligrams per day.

Sodium is found in
almost every food, so completely avoiding sodium is not realistic.
Choosing fresh fruits and vegetables, and salt-free and
reduced-sodium foods are great ways to limit salt intake. Sea salt
does not have less sodium content than table salt; since it is a
larger grain, fewer salt granules fit onto a teaspoon, so you are
eating less sodium.

Since many
processed foods are very high in sodium, eating natural or minimally
processed foods is the best way to avoid unnecessary sodium.
Alternative seasonings such as herbs and spices contain little or no
sodium and add just as much flavor. Be cautious when trying salt
alternatives; the main ingredient is potassium chloride, which may be
a problem for those taking certain medications or potassium
supplements.

To learn if you
need to restrict sodium from you diet and get additional tips to
control your sodium intake,contact Chantal Lemoine, RD, LDN,
Outpatient Clinical Dietitian at East Jefferson General Hospital at
504-454-4077 or clemoine@ejgh.org.